I’m a freshman undergraduate at Stephen F. Austin university majoring in economics and would like to get into a top 50 graduate school, so I’m wondering what it would take for me to get into those kind of school (my current gpa is a 3.2 and I’ll try and get a 3.7 at least before I graduate)
Your professors will have both 1) the knowledge to guide you to different options, 2) paths to research or other work that will make you a viable graduate student and 3) writers or your rec letters. If you truly want a Masters in the field, you better get used to speaking to academics in the field.
(And you can bet they’ll challenge you on your assumptions and see if you really have what it takes)
Also I’m undecided on a minor and so any ideas in that area would help as well
Again, a great question for your profs.
But in general, a minor isn’t meaningful. Just choose something you enjoy if you must have a minor. Many people don’t
You can google the class profile of some of the top MBA programs to get an idea. And as noted above you can also talk to your professors. You need to do your own basic research. Keep in mind that there will be a notable difference between the very top programs and the schools ranked closer to 50. Also note that a the top tier MBA programs typically require 2-5 years of meaningful work experience in addition to outstanding GPA, GMAT, recommendations, essays etc…
And agree that a minor won’t make a difference for grad school admission. Do a minor only if you want to.
What kind of graduate degree? MBA? MS/MA in Economics? MS in Finance?
MS/MA in Economics often requires/expects GRE, whereas MBA often requires/expects GMAT.
For a school ranked about 50th, we are talking about an average GPA around 3.3-3.5.
Really top MBAs expect a few years of quality working experience. For an MBA ranked around 50, it would not so picky. MS/MA in Economics and MS in Finance do not put emphasis on working experiences; they do like students who are equipped with quantitative skills.
I’ll try and get a MA in Economics
and try to get good-ish GRE scores
A minor in Math would help with Econ grad work
So a minor in applied statistics would help my chances?
Here in the US, Economics at the graduate level of training prepares you for academic research and tends to culminate in the PhD after you produce some original research (aka the dissertation). There really is no terminal degree in Economics at the Master’s level. Schools that do offer a terminal degree are doing so for international students who did their undergrad. in their home country but who want to come to the US for a PhD. The master’s degree allows them to leave with a decent rec. letter (assuming they do well). If you feel that your undergrad won’t leave you with good recommendations then this can be an option for you; however, keep in mind that you will pay full tuition. Grants and stipends are reserved for the PhD students.
If you are interested in a graduate degree in economics, you’ll want to minor in math. Real Analysis is a must. Applied stats will be math-oriented but may not prepare you sufficiently in the needed mathematical concepts. Also, stick to the mathematical track of your economics program, if it’s offered. Take stats and econometrics and probability theory (if offered). The more quantitative skills you acquire, the more valuable you are on the job market should you opt for that route after graduating, and the easier you’ll have it should you opt for grad. work in economics.
At your level, you should be soaking up as much theory as possible. Only then will you understand just how you want to proceed: soak up more theory and start producing some of your own, or take that into the business world after a grad. program that trains you in practical applications of the theory.
You can’t go wrong with an Econ. major as long as you supplement with math and stats.
Good luck to you!